Birding Southern Sweden (large PDF file (5 MB) - TÃ¥kerns FÃ¤ltstation

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Getterön nature reserve The Getterön nature reserve consists of a part of the exposed seashore that dominates the central part of the Halland coast. The reserve lies within walking distance, only a few kilometres from the centre of Varberg and 70km south of Gothenburg. The addition of Getterön’s visitor centre in 1995 has made the reserve easily accessible for the general public, and there are new bird hides and observation points. Getterön’s visitor centre is open daily between spring and autumn and at weekends in the winter. There is an exhibition there of wetland birds, an online web camera, conference facilities, art gallery, guides, trail loops, cafeteria and shop. Getterön is dominated by low-lying shore meadows that are supplied with nutrients from water courses and from the sea. This provides a good food supply for all the areas breeding and resting wetland birds. Ten islands were built during restoration of the reserve in 1992–93, and these attract a large number of breeding birds, including the symbol, the Avocet. MIKAEL NORD White-tailed Lapwing, July1997. Avocets. Characteristic breeding birds on the open shore are Blacktailed Godwit, Lapwing, Redshank, Dunlin, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover and Yellow Wagtail. On the islands there are breeding Black-headed Gulls (2500 pairs), Common Terns, Little Terns, Shoveler, Gadwall, Garganey and Teal. Water Rail, Reed Warblers, Bearded Tits and Marsh Harriers breed in the reeds. The reserve is regularly patrolled by hunting Peregrine Falcons. Getterön is one of Sweden’s foremost bird sites with no less than 327 observed species. Few places in Sweden, or even Europe, can boast such an impressive species list. The less usual visitors include: Frigatebird, Great Shearwater, Cory’s Shearwater, Mediterranean Shearwater, Lesser Scaup, Collared Pratincole, Black-winged Pratincole, American Golden Plover, Sociable Lapwing, White-tailed Lapwing, Red-necked Stint, Long-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, Bonaparte’s Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Ross’s Gull, Forster’s Tern, Brünnich’s Guillemot, Snowy Owl, Pacific Swift, Alpine Swift, Aquatic Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Hume’s Leaf Warbler and Rose-coloured Starling. February – March The first migrants arrive in February with mild southwesterly low pressure systems. These are Grelags, Shelducks and Lapwings. Towards the end of March, the next wave of migrants comes – geese, thrushes, Chaffinches and the first Avocets. Out to sea, wave after wave of Common Eiders pass by towards breeding places in the Baltic Sea. In the inland woods, Black Woodpeckers and owls (Eagle owl, Pygmy Owl and Tengmalm’s Owl) call most intensively from the end of March. PER MAGNUS ÅHRÉN 14
PER MAGNUS ÅHRÉN April – May Getterön’s nature reserve now fills quickly with birds. The Blackheaded Gull colony becomes filled in the beginning of April and towards the end of the month the terns can also be enjoyed at a comfortable distance from the hides. The Lapwings’ downy chicks see daylight in the first week of May, followed by the Avocets’ young a couple of weeks later. All dabbling duck species and large numbers of arctic waders roost together with rarities such as Mediterranean Gull, White-winged Tern, etc. June – July In the first half of June the growth of the young birds becomes noticeable. In the cultural landscape around Getterön, it is first and foremost the night singers that attract birdwatchers – Corncrake, Quail, Nightjars, Wood Larks and some individual River or Blyth’s Reed Warblers. Flocks with many thousands of waders can be seen on good days as July turns into August. August – October Upto 5000 dabbling ducks rest during the larger part of August. Geese land at the end of August, culminating during September and October with many thousands of, at times, all the European species. Westerly storms regularly bring Fulmars and Gannets in large numbers. Also regular, but fewer in number, are Leach’s Storm-petrel, Sooty Shearwater, and Manx Shearwater. November – February Now the real arctic species are often drawn down to Getterön. Purple Sandpipers turn up along the coast. In certain years Hawk and Snowy Owls are seen. White-tailed Eagles are often seen daily, and so are hunting peregrines. When the cold becomes severe, many birds are concentrated at the canal. It is then possible to enjoy Kingfishers, Great Bitterns, Smew, Little Grebes and Whooper Swans from the cafeteria windows. Not many cafeterias can offer that! During the winter, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls are regularly seen, and also Great Northern Divers. Visitor areas near Getterön Along the Halland coast, characterised by marsh meadows intermingled with Sweden’s best bathing beaches, there are a large number of excellent bird sites with good visitor facilities. MIKAEL NORD Caspian Tern. Kungsbackafjorden. 35km north of Getterön. In the fjord is a beautiful archipelago of about 30 islands. Observation tower. Båtafjorden. 15km north of Getterön. A large number of breeding waders, including Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits. Gubbanäsan. 2km west of Getterön’s nature reserve. Superb place for seabird watching. Galtabäck. 10km south of Getterön. Observation tower. Good resting locality for waders and ducks. Morups Tånge. Perhaps the West Coast’s best roosting site for waders. Good winter location for Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. Källstorps våtmark. 30km south of Getterön, immediately west of the E6 motorway. Artificial wetland with rich birdlife. Pårp/Trönninge Ängar. 75km south of Getterön. Observation tower and hide. In Laholmsbukten there are large numbers of water birds. Good locality for seawatching. INFORMATION Getterön´s Naturum Information about activities, bird observations etc. Tel. +46 (0)340 875 10. www.getteron.com Varberg´s Ornitologiska Förening Offers accomodation with a marvellous view of the reserve. Tel. +46 (0)340 150 10. Länsstyrelsen Halland (County Administration Board) Information about the reserve and the other Nature reserves in the county. Tel. +46 (0)35 13 20 00. www.n.lst.se Tourist information Varberg´s Turistbyrå, Tel. +46 (0)340 88 770 www.turist.varberg.se MIKAEL NORD 15
Page 1 and 2: Birding Southern Sweden 1
Page 3 and 4: Birdwatching in Southern Sweden Sou
Page 5 and 6: It is most rewarding to visit the s
Page 7 and 8: 1999 Mean 1986-98 Honey Buzzard Per
Page 9 and 10: PER-ERIK LARSSON Cranes nesting in
Page 11 and 12: GÖSTA FRIBERG Common Rosefinch. Bl
Page 16 and 17: Hornborgasjön Hornborgasjön (Lake
Page 18 and 19: Tåkern - the huge bird lake The T
Page 20 and 21: PER-MAGNUS ÅHRÉN Travel ideas Kin
Page 22 and 23: JENS B. BRUUN P-G BENTZ Common Buzz
Page 24: BRUNO SUNDIN White-tailed Eagle. Pu

Birding Southern Sweden (large PDF file &#40;5 MB&#41; - TÃ¥kerns FÃ¤ltstation

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?

Birding Southern Sweden (large PDF file (5 MB) - TÃ¥kerns FÃ¤ltstation